Soups
Chinese Yam, Goji, Lotus Seed, Lily and Soft-shell Turtle Soup
Traditionally nourishes yin and calms the mind
Why people make this soup
Soft-shell turtle is a richly nourishing ingredient that, in traditional thinking, nourishes yin and supports the blood and bones. Bro Niu offers this soup for people who feel depleted — with symptoms like warm palms and soles, palpitations, night sweats, dizziness or ringing in the ears — to help build them back up gently. Paired with yam, goji, lotus seed and lily bulb, it is a soothing, savoury soup that also supports calm and sleep.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those feeling run-down, with a yin-deficient picture (warm palms/soles, palpitations, night sweats), and people troubled by anxiety, insomnia or vivid dreams.
- Do not take during a cold, cough with yellow phlegm, or fever — the source is clear that this rich soup is unsuitable then, as it may “feed” the illness.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Soft-shell turtle (shui yu): Traditionally associated with nourishing yin and supporting the blood and bones.
- Chinese yam (huai shan): A gentle tonic for the spleen and stomach.
- Lotus seed (lian zi) & lily bulb (bai he): Traditionally used to calm the heart and settle the mind.
- Goji (gou qi zi) & red dates (hong zao): Used to nourish the blood.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warms and balances the richness of the turtle.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese yam (huai shan) | ~1 liang | — |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~4 qian | — |
| Fresh lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~2 liang | Or 1 liang dried |
| Fresh lily bulb (bai he) | ~2 liang | Or 1 liang dried |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6 | — |
| Ginger (sheng jiang) | 3 slices | — |
| Soft-shell turtle (shui yu) | 1 | Cleaned, membrane removed |
Method
- Have the turtle cleaned and dressed; blanch it, remove the thin membrane, then pan-fry lightly in a little oil until fragrant.
- Rinse the remaining ingredients.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 3 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is savoury and nourishing, and is also traditionally helpful for those troubled by nervous exhaustion, anxiety, and restless, dream-filled sleep.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Daisy): I’ve heard cancer patients shouldn’t eat chicken because it can trigger a relapse — is that true? Bro Niu: It is best to avoid hormone-raised, fattened poultry. Hormone-free organic chicken, steamed or double-boiled with the skin removed, is fine. What feeds cancer cells most is high fat, sugar and dairy, so keep those to a minimum.
- Q (Ada): I have a cold, cough and yellow phlegm but no fever — can I eat soft-shell turtle? Bro Niu: During a cold it is best not to take any tonic, so the illness doesn’t take hold. Soft-shell turtle is rich and greasy, so it is even less suitable now.
Published December 14, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
